NHL

Blackhawks-Kings Preview

The Chicago Blackhawks couldn't get the best of one offensively
challenged opponent, but might have a good chance to rebound
against another.

Attempting to do so Monday night, the visiting Blackhawks hope
to continue their success over a Los Angeles Kings team looking to
avoid a fourth consecutive defeat.

Brandon Saad recorded his third goal in two games Saturday, but
Corey Crawford failed to make a save in the shootout after stopping
38 shots as Chicago (33-10-14) fell to 1-0-2 on its seven-game road
stretch with a 2-1 loss at San Jose.

Though the Blackhawks have totaled a league-high 200 goals,
they've been held to one three times during their current 1-2-2
stretch. They failed to beat a San Jose club that snapped a
three-game skid while scoring its second non-shootout goal in four
games.

"I don't think we played a good team game," said Saad, who has
five points in three games. "In the end you want to get two
points."

The Blackhawks are 5-14 after regulation, with none of those
victories coming in overtime.

Though the Blackhawks allowed a short-handed goal in the third
period Saturday, they rebounded with Saad's power-play score.
Chicago is 3 for 7 with the man-advantage in the last two games
after going 3 for 33 in the previous 12 contests.

''It was a playoff type atmosphere," said forward Kris Versteeg,
who has an assist in three straight games. "Time and space was
non-existent and that's when you need to play smart. There's a lot
of positives from (Saturday's) game. Be ready for L.A."

Including last season's Western Conference finals, Chicago has
won four straight and eight of 10 against the Kings (30-21-6).

Backup Antti Raanta has stopped 47 of 48 shots while the
Blackhawks have outscored Los Angeles 4-1 in winning both previous
meetings this season. The rookie posted his first career shutout
with 26 saves, and Saad scored in a 1-0 home victory over the Kings
on Dec. 30.

Los Angeles has been shut out three times in its last five games
and six times overall. It recorded 35 shots and allowed 13 during
Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Philadelphia.

The Kings have scored 10 goals while losing eight of nine, been
held to one or none in six straight, and two or less 16 times
during a 5-13-2 stretch.

"I'm pretty frustrated, but like I said, you've got to get over
it," defenseman Drew Doughty told the NHL's official website.

"You've got to get past it. This can make us stronger. Going
through this little slip, it seems like it happens every year with
the Kings at some point. We're going turn this thing around and
we're going to go the other way with it and become better from
it."

If so, they'll likely need their top players to start
producing.

Mike Richards is second on the team with 35 points, but none in
his last six games. He's also been shut out in his three games
versus Chicago at Staples Center.

Jeff Carter has a team-leading 20 goals, but none in six
contests following a four-game goal streak. He's been held without
a point in five straight regular-season games against the
Blackhawks.

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